Timothy TorresVicks SmartTemp ThermometerThe Vicks SmartTemp is a useful Bluetooth thermometer that pairs with your smartphone and tracks temperatures in an app with graphs you can share with your doctor.

The Vicks SmartTemp is a useful Bluetooth thermometer that pairs with your smartphone and tracks temperatures in an app with graphs you can share with your doctor.

The Vicks SmartTemp is a Bluetooth-connected thermometer that pairs with your smartphone to measure your body temperature. It works with an inutitive app that allows you to track your temperature over time and share that information with your doctor, or set reminders for when it's time to take your medicine. It lacks a display and requires a smartphone, but for $24.99, it's a useful device for keeping tabs on the health of you and your family.

Design and FeaturesThe thermometer measures 4.5 inches long and 1.25 inches at its widest point, which is where you hold it. There's an On/Off button at this end, and a standard CR2032 coin cell battery underneath the white plastic case. It terminates in a rubbery flexible tip with a rounded metal point at the other end.

On the wider end you'll find a Vicks logo. There's an indicator light underneath the plastic that flashes red when you turn the thermometer on, and green when you place it in your mouth. Once in, it beeps to indicate a temperature has been recorded, which takes a couple of seconds. You can record up to 10 temperatures, which you can later sync with the app. Unfortunately, there's no display on the thermometer itself, so you need to have your smartphone handy in order to view your temperature.

The SmartTemp is intended for oral, rectal, and underarm use. Vicks recommends you abstain from drinking, eating, exercising, smoking, or taking showers or baths 15 minutes before use, which can impact readings. You should clean the thermometer with soap and water after each use, and dry it with a clean cloth.

Pairing, App, and PerformanceTo get started, you need to download the free Vicks SmartTemp app to your device from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It runs on iOS 7 or later, or Android 4.4 or later. Once the app is downloaded, enable Bluetooth on your phone, open the app, and follow the on-screen prompts, which require you to press and hold the On/Off button until you see a solid red light. Then tap Confirm on the app to complete the setup. It only took about 30 seconds to pair the thermometer with a Samsung Galaxy S6. Once paired, you don't have to re-pair again for subsequent use. The SmartTemp will automatically connect to your phone in about five seconds as long as it's within Bluetooth range (about 30 feet).

After pairing, you can add profiles to the app so you can chart several different users, which is useful for families. You can enter a name and birthday, and attach a photo to each profile. The app's main screen, labeled Take Temp, shows the profiles at the top. You can cycle through them by tapping the profile pictures or the arrow buttons on either side of them.

To actually take a temperature, select a profile or tap "Take a temperature without a profile" before you indicate whether you want to take the temperature orally, rectally, or under the arm. Finally, insert the thermometer and your smartphone will display the temperature rising. The app displays the recorded number in green for normal temperature, yellow for hot, and red for feverish. You can then tap a plus icon to add details like medications, symptoms, and other notes.

I was healthy while testing, so I didn't see any yellow or red results during my time with the SmartTemp Digital. But I did run into an error in which the thermometer simply failed to read my temperature. This only happened once, and it otherwise returned accurate results.

Recorded temperatures show up in History, which you can access by tapping the gray menu on the bottom of the app. From there, you can manually enter temperatures, symptoms, and other data, or export the information in JPEG or CSV file formats in case you want a simple picture of your history or an Microsoft Excel file. The Excel file looks similar to the photo below, except it's editable text. This is useful if you want to share information with your doctor or track your temperature history over time.

The app also has an option to set reminders. You can type in what kind of medication you're taking, the dosage, what time you last took it, and when you should take the next dose. When the time comes, the SmartTemp sends a push notification to your phone. You can also use the app to connect an additional thermometer, switch between ahrenheit and Celsius, view a series of frequently asked questions and troubleshooting issues, and click over to the Vicks website with advice for dealing with colds and flu.

Overall, the app is well-designed and easy to use, with a clear and concise interface. However, it cannot sync with other apps like Apple Health, so all info recorded with thermometer will basically remain in the SmartTemp app unless you export the data in some form.

Conclusions The Vicks SmartTemp costs a bit more than your average digital thermometer, but it also does a lot more. I wish it had a display, but that seems like a small price to pay for health results you can easily track over time and share with your doctor. If you have a compatible smartphone and you're looking for a new thermometer, the SmartTemp is definitely worth your consideration.

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About the Author

Timothy Torres is a Junior Analyst on PCMag's consumer electronics team. He covers wearables, digital home, and various cool gadgets including the occasional video game. He has written all manner of copy for Computer Shopper, The Jersey Journal, Radio One, Random House, and 2D-X. Before entering the tech world, he attended New York University and w... See Full Bio

Vicks SmartTemp Thermometer

Vicks SmartTemp Thermometer

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